Eutelsat has signed an agreement with Tata Group’s satellite communications provider, Nelco Limited, to deliver Eutelsat OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services across India. Under the deal, Eutelsat’s local arm, OneWeb India Communications, will work with Nelco to provide LEO connectivity for land, maritime, and aviation sectors, supporting critical government and enterprise applications. Service coverage will span India’s borders, territorial waters, and remote regions.
Neha Idnani, regional VP for APAC at Eutelsat and Director of OneWeb India, said the partnership will bolster India’s digital infrastructure and national security while improving connectivity in underserved areas. Nelco MD and CEO P J Nath confirmed readiness to offer services once OneWeb is commercially operational in India.
Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti Global, already has regulatory approval to set up gateways and launch services in India but awaits final spectrum allocation. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is still debating licence duration and allocation methods, with proposals ranging from three to five years, and spectrum usage charges of up to 4% of adjusted gross revenue.
Provisional spectrum allocated in October 2024 has allowed Eutelsat OneWeb to test services. However, new Department of Telecommunications (DoT) security requirements mandate local data centres, restrictions on data transfer outside India, and at least 20% indigenous ground segment gear within five years of service launch.
This Nelco agreement follows Eutelsat’s recent partnership with Station Satcom to integrate OneWeb LEO services into its maritime connectivity portfolio, underscoring the operator’s push to expand coverage and capabilities in the Indian market.
